Metung

For a dose of style in Victoria's Gippsland Lakes, the destination must be Metung. A great base for water sports enthusiasts, this tiny picture-book village features fine food and wine and a handful of inspiring galleries. Metung's proximity to the Gippsland Lakes and sandy beaches mean there is over 400 square kilometres of water to explore. The village has a decidedly waterfront air and its compact size means you can enjoy sunset strolls along the water's edge to see docked yachts and cruisers, as well as the many quaint wooden boats. A leisurely cruise around the lakes is bound to include glimpses of pelicans and other birdlife and kangaroos grazing by the water. Small runabouts are also available for hire. Metung offers excellent fishing, particularly for bream, tailor, flathead, King George whiting and prawns in summer. Try your hand around Bancroft Bay, off Shaving Point and local jetties. Leave the cooking in the hands of the experts and make a booking at a harbourside restaurant for quality local seafood and wine. Pick an excellent restaurant for a fancy meal or find a sunny spot opposite the village green for a relaxed lunch and coffee. Metung's natural beauty attracts many artists who have set up farm studios, gardens and galleries to ply their crafts. The shores of Bancroft Bay feature a large rock known to the indigenous population as the Wallung. Part of the Batatuk Cultural Trail, the rock is the subject of a variety of stories told in detail at the Krowathunkooloong Keeping Place in Bairnsdale. Metung is about four hours' drive from Melbourne just near Lakes Entrance, off the Princes Highway from Swan Reach.